Animal rights activist Adam Fahnestock was arrested at the Big Loop Rodeo in Jordan Valley, Oregon, on May 18th for videotaping the rodeo and allegedly resisting arrest. Fahnestock is part of an animal rights organization, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, ‘SHARK’. Last year, SHARK videotaped the same annual rodeo, exposing abusive practices in which a horse broke its leg and prompting Oregon State Senator Mark Hass to introduce a movement to ban the practice known as horse tripping. SHARK believes that Fahnestock was targeted by rodeo employees in response to the public outcry from the video last year.

While the rodeo owners claim that the event was held on private property and they had every right to restrict video taping, this is a transparent effort to hide illegal practice. Placing a horse in a situation knowing it could be potentially hurt, particularly due to previous example, is criminal animal abuse. Fahnestock, in videotaping the event, was attempting to uphold animal abuse laws, and was accosted by rodeo personnel and subsequently arrested.

SHARK president stated “This is clearly an abuse of the law and an example of the “good old-boy network” that exists in the rodeo world. We will fight these false and retaliatory charges vigorously and continue to expose animal abuse at rodeos.” He is right – attempting to conceal criminal activity is a loophole actively used under the guise of private property. Sign this petition to encourage officials to release Fahnestock, and send a message to other organizations who abuse animals: “You cannot hide this from the public.”

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Dan Norris,

On May 18th, animal rights activist Adam Fahnestock was arrested in your county on charges of illegal videotaping and resisting arrest at the Big Loop Rodeo. Due to public backlash for a recording of animal abuse at the same rodeo last year by the same organization, I believe that Fahnestock was singled out by rodeo employees specifically to prevent any exposure of animal abuse.

As the organizers of the rodeo already have a history of animal abuse, I feel Fahnestock had every right to record the events of this year’s rodeo in an attempt to uphold animal cruelty regulations, yet the rodeo organizers are attempting to use private property as an excuse for Fahnestock’s arrest.

As the organizers know the ramifications for animal abuse and are attempting to hide this from the public, I demand that you release Adam Fahnestock from custody, along with his recordings of the events. Allowing the Big Loop Rodeo to have Fahnestock arrested shows them and any other organizations who participate in animal abuse that it is perfectly acceptable to hide such horrendous actions from the public. Release Adam Fahnestock from custody to show them that this is not the case, and that they can, and will be prosecuted for harming animals.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Jeff Wiley via Flickr

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5 Comments

Someone has to speak up for these doomed animals, and to prohibit this is a violation of free speech and free press according to our constitution. Reporting of these atrocities is the only way for change and to stop them.

The cruelty and brutality that our species is capable of is heartbreaking, especially when the perpetrators enjoy doing it. This kind of torture and killing of animals should not only be prohibited by law, but attendance at such an event should also be made a criminal offense. And anyone who would take a minor to witness (and approve of) such horror should be prosecuted for child abuse. Thank goodness for courageous people such as Adam Fahnestock and the kind and compassionate people on ForceChange and Care2.com.

About time someone speaks up and encourages people not to revel in cruelty: the man ought to be congratulated, not ostracized or charged, least of all jailed! Maybe charge the rodeo employers and employees if you must, and definitely redirect them towards a decent sort of job!